[getsmart-l] David Dunlap Observatory: Letter to Governing Council

[Gloria Boxen]

The Town of Richmond Hill has been trying to negotiate with the U of T behind the scenes, but unfortunately, I have heard no  evidence that they have accomplished anything.  

As I wrote previously, the Governing Council of the U of Toronto will vote tomorrow to sell the 189 acre property housing the David Dunlap Observatory lands.  Under the terms of the will, the property would be returned to the heirs of David Dunlap if the University no longer used the site for astronomy.  However, the University has come to an agreement with the family to receive half the proceeds of a sale.  It will use funds to build a downtown astronomy centre and, I understand to pay off some of its $80 million operating debt.  High energy costs and rising labour costs appear to be the source of the debt.  Here's a sample letter.   Your own version would be more effective, but feel free to use this one.  Remember decisions are made by appealing to the heart, and the head is used to justify them.

So, give your heart-felt reasons for saving the DDO.   If you are are a U of T graduate, or have any other affiliation to the University please indicate so.


Gloria

Governing Council
University of Toronto
Simcoe Hall, 
27 King's College Circle, Room 106,
Toronto, Ontario, 
M5Z 1A1

I am concerned that you are going to make a decision in regards to the David Dunlap Observatory and surrounding lands without full knowledge and appreciation of the facts.

You are aware that the DDO is an important historical site.  This is where astronomer Dr. Tom  Bolton made the first exciting observations that provided the evidence of the existence of a black hole.   

The public and perhaps you have been given misinformation about the usefulness of the Observatory and the cost to the University.  The figure of $800,000 to operate it annually refers to an a time when the Observatory had a full complement of staff.  In reality, the current cost is a fraction of that. Light pollution has been reduced and overcome, with other parts of the spectrum being used for observations.   Because the University has a only a share in the large telescopes in Chile and Hawaii, it scientists have to line up for a few days a year to make observations and collect data.  However, as the University has access to the David Dunlap Observatory on a full time basis, different types of studies are being carried out that  require continuous observations.

The University of Toronto is first and foremost a public teaching institution.  I would urge you not to shut down the largest telescope east of the Mississippi in North America.  The David Dunlap Observatory has been a centre of outreach for public education.  Generations of school children have been introduced to the wonders of astronomy by the DDO.  Members of the public have had the opportunity to come Saturday evenings to learn about and experience astronomy.

I am sure more education and scientific use could be made of the property, situated in a extremely urbanized and central location in the GTA.  For example, a summer science camp could be run on part of the property.  Environmental studies could be carried out on the effects of greenspace in the midst of an area of high air pollution.  Smog is now worse here than downtown Toronto.

 I understand that the University of Toronto has a very sizable operating debt, partly due to rising energy costs. However, as you know, selling assets is a very short term solution that does not solve the ongoing problem of escalating operating costs.

Whether or not the energy costs have contributed significantly to the debt, I suggest that the University should use its considerable intellectual and creative resources to implement conservation measures and renewable energy solutions to achieve great cost savings.

Finally, I hope that the Council would consider the importance of the DDO to the environment. 

The property is a green oasis of quiet in the extremely urbanized south York Region.  It is located on a rise of hill just off Yonge Street in Richmond Hill. There are deer that graze on the property.  They use the adjoining railroad as a corridor to come off and on the grounds.    

This is what a local resident wrote in September:
 "Just this past Saturday at dusk, my wife and I travelled past the  
Observatory lands, and saw four deer feeding on the property, just inside the fence along Bayview Avenue. We thought to ourselves how wonderful it was to have this activity in the heart of our town. It gives Richmond Hill a unique point of difference, one that we treasure and hope to preserve."

There are important intermittent streams in the wooded area of the property.  Unique trees with extensive above-ground root systems are found in this area of the grounds.

Public officials  would not think of selling High Park, Black Creek Pioneer Village, Earl Bales Park, or Edwards Gardens.  The fact that the U of T would release it to be sold I find  very disturbing.    

I appeal to you to retain the site for scientific research and new educational uses and that you use your considerable intellectual resources to find other ways to minimize the University's debt and operating costs.

Yours truly, 




Some contact info
 
 The Secretary of the Governing Council 
Mr. Louis R. Charpentier
l.charpentier at utoronto.ca
phone 416-978-2118,   fax 416-978-8182

Recording Secretary
Matthew Lafond
matthew.lafond at utoronto.ca
phone  416-978-8427,  fax 416-978-8182

John (Jack) F. Petch
Chair of the Governing Council, 
University of Toronto, 
Simcoe Hall, 
27 King's College Circle, Room 106,
Toronto, Ontario, 
M5Z 1A1, 

phone   416-978-2117, 
      fax  416-862-6666, 
email: teresa.sim at utoronto.ca, 
Assistant: Ms. Teresa Sim, 
phone 416-978-2117, 
fax 416-978-8182



Contact the Governing Council and give your heart-felt reasons for saving the DDO.   If you are are a U of T graduate, or have any other affiliation to the University please indicate so.

Contact the Governing Council and give your heart-felt reasons for saving the DDO.   If you are are a U of T graduate, please indicate so.

If you can attend the meeting or make a deputation (in writing if you do not attend), there are some seats available on a first come, first service basis.

Meeting to vote on the David Dunlap Observatory
October 30,  4:30 P.M.
 Council Chambers
 Simcoe Hall
 St. George Campus
 To reserve a ticketed space call 416  978-6576
 There are 30 ticketed spaces and 30 first come  first served spaces


To make a deputation:
 E-mail matthew.lafond at utoronto.ca  Matthew Lafond is the Recording Secretary for the Governing Council.  He will forward your request to the Chair, Jack Petch.  Matthew Lafond told me that the by-laws limit the deputations and  will probably be limited to three minutes.  The e-mail should include who you are representing and a summary of the points to make.

    
 The contact information for the members of the Governing Council of U of Toronto.
 
 http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Boards+and+Committees/Governing+Council/2.03.02.pdf
http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/bac/gc.htm

Thank you for your help.

Regards,
Gloria Boxen   
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